Lebanon is entering a decisive phase that requires a fundamental reset of its regional relationships, particularly with Saudi Arabia, alongside deep internal reforms and the consolidation of State authority, Justice Minister Adel Nassar said in an interview published by the Saudi daily Okaz.

Nassar said rebuilding ties with Riyadh must rest on partnership, mutual support and respect for sovereignty, stressing that Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting Lebanon’s stability has been pivotal. He said the kingdom has consistently stood by the Lebanese State in its most difficult moments, providing sustained financial and moral backing. According to Nassar, Saudi Arabia and several other countries are willing to help Lebanon emerge from its crisis, provided that serious reforms are implemented; a process he said the current government has already begun in earnest.

On the domestic front, Nassar said there is no longer any justification for Hezbollah keeping its weapons, arguing that the group’s arsenal has failed to provide real protection or effective deterrence against Israeli attacks. Instead, he said, it has contributed to depriving the Lebanese State of full decision-making authority. Lebanon’s true strength, Nassar added, lies in the full role of State institutions, the exclusive monopoly of arms by the State, and the ability to act through diplomatic channels and international forums. 

Nassar said the disarmament process has effectively begun, pointing to the Lebanese army’s completion of its missions south of the Litani River. He stressed that the decision to place all arms under State authority is irreversible, regardless of differing political positions or changing circumstances.

Responding to criticism that previous governments had called for disarmament without achieving results, Nassar said earlier cabinets failed to adopt a clear and firm stance, instead relying on ambiguous equations such as the “people, army and resistance” trilogy, which he said no longer aligns with the logic of a modern state. He said the current government, backed by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, rejects any duality of arms or decision-making; a position clearly reflected in the president’s inaugural address and the ministerial statement that won unanimous confidence in parliament, including the votes of Hezbollah lawmakers.

Turning to regional developments, Nassar said Lebanese citizens suffered greatly under Syria’s former regime, recalling a personal experience in which his home was shelled in 1978 and 1981, injuring a member of his family. He said relations with Syria are now being rebuilt on new foundations based on mutual respect for sovereignty, adding that the current Syrian authorities have shown no inclination to infringe on Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Addressing concerns in Lebanon over Syria’s new leadership, Nassar said such fears are understandable given past experiences, but that the responsibility today lies in dispelling them through clear positions and mutual guarantees. He said there is awareness on the Syrian side and a desire to rebuild trust and open a new chapter.

On the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanon, Nassar said the matter is being handled strictly through legal channels, stressing that Lebanon does not detain individuals for their political opinions and that prison overcrowding is not linked to any particular nationality. He said the transfer of convicted prisoners is possible under existing legal agreements, while the transfer of suspects requires a specific legal framework that cannot be bypassed by political or administrative decisions.

Nassar said his ministry prepared a comprehensive legal proposal that received the approval of the Legislation and Consultations Commission and was discussed with a Syrian delegation. Amendments were introduced to exclude serious crimes such as murder and rape and to preserve personal rights and judicial sovereignty. He acknowledged that a misunderstanding later arose over certain points, leading to inaccurate accusations of obstruction, but said the initiative remains under discussion.

He stressed that transferring prisoners does not amount to releasing them, and that final decisions do not lie with the justice minister or the executive branch, but are governed by legal and judicial frameworks, some of which require parliamentary approval. Respect for the separation of powers, he said, is non-negotiable.

Nassar also pointed to other unresolved files between Beirut and Damascus, including the fate of Lebanese forcibly disappeared in Syria, fugitives from justice, and Lebanon’s request for documents from the archives of the former Syrian regime that could assist investigations into a series of assassinations and bombings since 2005. He said the Syrian side has expressed a positive attitude and readiness to cooperate within the available legal frameworks.

On the issue of Lebanese nationals who took part in the Syrian war, Nassar said he opposes the involvement of any Lebanese citizen in the wars of others and welcomed the new Syrian leadership’s move to close this chapter. He stressed the need to separate politics from the law, saying such cases are handled exclusively through judicial procedures, in a manner that safeguards state sovereignty and respects legal systems.

In a related effort to address chronic prison overcrowding, Nassar said a courtroom has been built adjacent to Roumieh Prison, raising the rate of completed court sessions from 33 percent to about 82 percent and accelerating the processing of judicial cases.